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Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout follows through on a double during the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Five things to know about the Los Angeles Angels as opening day approaches:

1. Legendary company

At age 25, center fielder Mike Trout has a 47.7 career WAR score. Only Ty Cobb (56.3) and Mickey Mantle (52.5) had a higher score at the same age.

2. Run prevention

The Angels are basing their team on run prevention. According to The Fielding Bible, the Halos were fifth in the American League for runs saved last season with 34. Shortstop Andrelton Simmons led league infielders at plus-18.

Improving the backbone of the Rangers defense still a top priority as regular season nears

3. Gamble pays off

Right-hander Garrett Richards appears to have won his gamble of bypassing Tommy John surgery for repairing a torn elbow ligament with stem-cell therapy. Richards is expected to be in the season-opening rotation. Had Richards had the surgery, he likely would have been out until August. The same treatment did not take with teammate Andrew Heaney, and he is out until spring training 2018 while recovering from Tommy John.

4. Without the main closer

Closer Huston Street will start the season on the disabled list because of a strained back muscle. Street was on the disabled list twice last season and had only nine saves in 12 chances. He had 81 saves in 89 chances in 2014-15.

5. Speed is key

With the addition of speedy outfielders Cameron Maybin and Ben Revere, manager Mike Scioscia wants to use the running game more. The Angels have not had 100-plus steals since 2012. The Halos were also only 10th in the American League last season for extra-bases-taken rate at 39 percent, according to baseballreference.com.